WAREHAM — Thomas Strom is more than just a business owner known for fueling an ice cream and seafood frenzy at his restaurant during the warm-weather months.

He is admired for his philanthropic spirit, as well.

While summer is the busiest season for the owner of the popular Kool Kone restaurant, Strom has a full plate year-round giving back to the community.

For his generosity and his willingness to rise to the occasion to help others, Strom has been named The Standard-Times 2012 Wareham Man of the Year. Nominations for the award came from the community and members of the newspaper staff. Recipients were selected by a newsroom committee.

In her letter nominating Strom for the honor, Genevieve Gadbois described him as a "leader, mentor, friend and father" to his staff at Kool Kone.

"He has been a hero to these kids and has never asked for anything in return, not even a thank-you. He is humble and kind and without a doubt puts the needs of his family and others before ever thinking of himself," she said.

His commitment to his employees was amplified after a tragedy on Nov. 17, when one of his longtime employees — 20-year-old Jordan Lopes — was killed in an auto accident.

Less than 24 hours after the accident, "Thomas decided to take it upon himself and his restaurant to do what Jordan's family could not. He (sacrificed) more money than any business owner would ever dream of giving up to allow a fundraiser to take place at his restaurant," Gadbois said.

Strom said he simply wanted to help his family cover the funeral costs. In an exchange for a $10 donation, the restaurant offered customers a full meal, drink and ice cream included, at no cost.

Strom fondly recalled the young man who worked in his business for so many years.

"He was very quiet but very personal with everyone. Everyone enjoyed him. He'd always put music on we never heard of before. ... He was a DJ in college and had a radio show. He knew a lot, then I'd teach him about '70s and '80s stuff," he said.

Strom said he tries whenever possible to help out. "I get over 100 people asking for donations, and I try to accommodate all of them," he said. He said he has assisted at memorials and parades and has donated food for three local American Cancer Society Relay for Life events. If that isn't enough, he donates surplus food to Shepherd's Pantry at Good Shepherd Church in Acushnet. He has given buckets of chicken, pans of pasta and beef dinners to the pantry.

"I think whenever somebody puts people before profit, that's a wonderful thing," said Selectman Cara Winslow, who especially commended Strom for helping Lopes' family pay for funeral expenses during a trying time.

"I thought it's a wonderful thing that he reached out and gave everybody a chance to do something," she said of the fundraiser. "One thing about Wareham is if you ask them to stand up and give, they will."

Strom attributed his philanthropy to his father, a business owner like himself, but he isn't the type to toot his own horn. Beneficiaries of his generosity do it for him.

"Tom deserves to be thanked, and I have a whole community standing behind me that will vouch the exact same," Gadbois said.